The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-06-15
ANDRE THERIOT.
BY NJ. B. WILLIAMS.

1t was an old French chateau on the
banks of the Loire; and when it was first
built, or conquered, by the ancestors of
the Comte de Maupassant, no one knew.
But the beautiful domain of Beauiolais
had decended to the Maupassant, for
centuries in one unbroken line.
The present owner, Count Guy, was
perhaps the wealthiest and proudest of
his race, as he was also the last. His
only child, Blanche, little girl about
ten years old, was the sole scion of that
once numerous and powerful family,
and what affection her father had was
lavished upon her. But, like all the
Maupassants, he was cold-hearted and
naughty, and when his wife, whom he
had married from motives of interest,
dropped, faded, and died, in the uncon-
genial atmosphere of the old chateau, he
gave her scant mourning.
AS for the little Countess, she had
her governess and her Jonne, and,
being extremely wilful, was
allowed to do pretty much as she pleased.
Her father, who spent the greater part of
his time in Paris, was quite content, on
his visits to the chateau, to see his
beautiful little daughter healthy and
happy, and the greatest little despot in
the household, which was wholly sub
missive to her widest whims.
What a life she led them She re-
belled against the constant watchfulness
of governess and maids, and nothing
delighted her more than to run away
from them, and pass long hours in
wandering alone through the deep
forest and broad fields of Beaujolais.
Her governess, good, indolent woman,
was in utter despair at these escapades.
But, mademoiselle, forbid you to
go alone!" she cried at is not CONNIE
IL .taut for the Countess de Maupassant to
wander about alone, like one of the COM
mon peasant children.
"Then l wish was common peasant
childw the little lady cried, stamping
her feet angrily. "They have got children
to play with them, and I've got nobody
but you and Bonne Marie; and you are
old, old, and you can't jump and run and
play. will go by myself; and if you
watch me, or try to follow me, madame,
| will go outside the gate and run away
to Paris. There noww
Poor Madame Duloc shook and shivered
at this threat. She knew the child would
keep her word, and then what would
happen2 AS for furnishing her refractory
charge as she deserved, that she knew
was utterly impossible, and would cost
her an easy and lucrative situation. So
she weakly strOve to compromise.
''If you would only take Celine
mademoiselle, then you might stay out
as long as you please"
"But am running away from Celine
and everybodyw she cried impatiently.
81 hate to be watched, and if you will do
it, l will run away. l will go where |
choose"
Poor Madame Duloc raised her hands
and eyes in despair, but before this 'will
60" she knew she was powerless. She
did what she could she exacted promise
from Blanche that she would never go
beyond the park gates. Wilful and un-
governable as the little Countess was,
she had never broken her word, so
Madame Duloc was forced to yield the
point. She would climb laboriously to
the high tower and watch the child
through the fields, and until she was lost
in the recesses of the forest. But after
time, when Blanche came in regularly,
glowing with health and ready to study
more sedulously than she had ever done,
she ceased her espionage.
The lonely little girl found her life
full of interest now. She made friends
with the birds and squirrels, and all wild
things of the field and forest. She was
a warm hearted, loving little creature,
though her best impulses had been re-
pressed by her artificial life, and it was
her greatest pleasure to stop and chat
with old Theriot, the gardener, and his
assistants, who were always busy about
the grounds.
One beautiful spring morning, in her
wanderings through the spacious gar
dens, Blanche came TO an arch twined
with the fragrant Provence rose, then in
full bloom. They were high above her
reach, nor was there a foothold on the
arch where she could climb She
looked around. No one was in sight
but tall lad, who was wedding one of
the beds.
"Here, garcon, come and get me some
roses.
He came obediently, and gathered her
large cluster.
"You are very tall" she said, "to